Thompson miscalculate and ask me for more money

[johans]

excuse the simplistic title but that`s it!

 

yesterday i was offered a package holiday at a branch and after a couple of hours to think it over ,i called back and accepted the offer and paid by debit card.

 

they called me this morning to say that although i had given all information i was asked, their system has now decreed that my 13 year old daughter does not count as a child and therefore they want another £250 off me or they will cancel the holiday!

 

They point out that the brochure states that 12 is the limit but i reminded them that i did not book it by the brochure but directly with one of their reps who along with several other packages, took it directly off their system.

 

I`m not quite sure what my basic consumer rights are about once a contract is offered agreed and paid for but my interpretation of Regulation 11 of the Travel Regs, is that they can only increase the original price if there is a prior agreement stating how a revised price is to be calculated.

 

They have given me till lunchtime to cough up or loose the holiday!

 

any advice gratefully accepted

[shywazz]

A quick read through there terms and conditions might assit you in making the choices that are available to you...i have highlighted the age terms on there website...

 

Reduced prices for 1st and 2nd children only apply to children sharing a hotel room or apartment with 2 full-fare-paying adults.

• 4 adults sharing an apartment with 2 or more bedrooms can bring 2 children at the 1st child price (one of which may be a free child, if available).

• If one child qualifies for a free child place, a 2nd child sharing the same hotel room or apartment will pay the full 1st child price plus an amount per week as shown in the price panel.

• Children not sharing with at least 2 adults (except for single parent offers where applicable), third and subsequent children pay the adult price and count as adults when the occupancy level is calculated.

• Deposits, flight, room, extra facility and board supplements and insurance premium (if taken) must be paid in full for all children travelling at a reduced child price.

Age ranges are as follows: 2-12 years inclusive in hotels unless otherwise stated on the hotel description (please see the note above on bed sharing); 2-16 years inclusive in apartments.

• Children under 2 years of age on the date of the return flight count as infants. See flight information.

• No person under 18 years of age will be allowed to travel independently with Thomson. If you are 17 years of age or under, at least one accompanying member of your party must be 18 years of age or over, and this person must be the lead name on the booking.

• Owing to the nature of tours we regret we are unable to accept bookings for children under 12 years on the date of return travel.

• Thomson Gold: We do not accept bookings for children under 16 years of age.

• Cots: We do recommend that you bring your own travel cot as some hoteliers cannot guarantee that there will be a cot available on the date you arrive. Please bear in mind that no extra baggage allowance is given for travel cots, so you will have to pay an extra charge if your total luggage weight exceeds the airline’s own limit (which may be less than 20kg. See 'Baggage Allowance' under ‘Flight information’). Hoteliers may charge for infant cots and food.

 

Thomson.co.uk - Great offers on Holidays, Flights and Hotels

 

I would think that since you declared your child as over the age limit and deemed a adult, when booking the holiday, also that thomson has indeed taken full payment for the holiday, you could thrash out some sort of deal between urself and them, but do remember that should you opt to cancel the holiday and go with another travel you would need to tell them ur child is classed a adult which would bump the price up, so i'd opt to haggle with thomson to get a discount, rather than go somewhere else and pay full price....If you booked in shop go chat to the person you booked with, and see what there can do, failing that, ask to speak to the shop manager, she/he should have the means to alter prices or offer any discounts that might be offered/considered...

Should you still disagree, don't cancel the holiday urself, otherwise you will be charged a cancelation fee, let thomson cancel it, that way you get the full refund....

[johans]

thanks for your reply shywazz.

 

i don`t dispute their terms and conditions but THEY made a mistake, AFTER, taking my money . I had given them a brief, gave all my info and they made me an offer of a holiday based upon that which i agreed and paid for!

 

If the boot had been on the other foot and i realised i had overspent and thus went back to ask for the equivalant off or to cancel if not, what do you think they would say. i can1t believe they can get away with it!

 

incidently, i was passed on to their customer services in coventry where some , " customer services rep", told me that she had decided that they would refund my money if i was`nt prepared to pay them more and she would neither discuss it or agree to pass me on to her supervisor, to say she was arrogant and abrupt would be putting it mildly!

[mooreda]

Why not demand your money back and tell them to shove it?

[johans]

Why not demand your money back and tell them to shove it?

 

did`nt have to, they did it almost immediately when i said i was not prepered to be penalised to the tune of an extra £250 - on top of the £1500 i`d already paid- because of their mistake!

 

like i said, i thought once a deal is made, ie money changes hands then unless their is a prior agreement, then the holiday provider can`t ask for more.

 

have you ever tried and suceeded to cancel a holiday for whatever reason and not lost some money to the company in the process?